If I had a 25th hour in the day just for me -- no commitments, no distractions -- I would attack my craft room. It is pretty horrifying. Sometimes I go weeks without spending any time at all in there, just venturing in occasionally to dig for supplies and then hightailing it out of there, only to return with piles of materials and dump them on my desk.One problem is that it's not on the main floor. I don't know why that should make such a difference, but I am sure that if it weren't downstairs, I'd be able to sneak some time in there much more easily. Another problem: it's such a big problem! Very overwhelming. I know that I have too much stuff and I need to purge. But I really enjoy all of the stuff, so it's hard to get rid of...
I feel like I need two solid weeks with no other responsibilities to get it under control. But, since that's never going to happen... maybe I can find a way to spend at least 1/2 hour in there each day, chipping away at the mountainous piles and stacks and boxes. And maybe then, once I can find what I need, I'll feel inspired to do some serious creating!
22 comments:
oh, baby steps for sure. i have worn that expression on my face many a time!!
That looks like a FUN project! Just to have a craft room would be fun, but to clean it -- even better. I love your expression!
That's a great picture Michelle. Your room really is NOT to be believed, mainly because there's so much great stuff in there. You really should do a 360 degree view of it so everyone can see how wonderful it is.
I also think you need to get in there at least once a day so that it becomes a habit and so that it will cease to be so overwhelming. Good luck!
Michelle~ I have the same problem & I started tackeling it just last Saturday. It's been liberating & frustrating at the same time.
I've started before but I always get busy & overwhelmed -then quit & move on, then get frustrated again, it goes on & on. This time I am really getting it done. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. I know why it's getting done -it's because I don't have any littles around for a few hours a day!!
Hey~ with a toddler I think you're doing good just to have the supplies at all. Maybe you should just do a little at a time then really tackle it when Eva goes to preschool!? She is darling though!
Great picture btw!
I am scared at what you could create if you "felt inspired to do some serious creating" since you are already the craftiest person I have the pleasure of knowing!
I always tell my husband that I just need two weeks to get my legs back under me...just two weeks, alone. Yeah, a 25th hour is not quite enough.
I seem to dig myself out and then find myself right back under a week or so later- and I have a small space! I would feel overwhelmed and want to close the door unless I was guaranteed a kid free weekend to crank up the music and get to work. 1/2 hour in there everyday is a great start! I have a hard time purging as well...
Like Laurie, I love your expression. Your consternation look is very becoming!
And like April, I can't imagine what would happen if you "felt inspired to do some serious creating"...your creations are incredible as is. But, if that's the case, I'll come help you purge if you promise to keep sharing your ideas of "serious creating".
Your face is priceless in this picture. It makes me laugh- it actually is the first time I think you look like your sister.
A craft room can be a daunting task, but I bet you would find so many fun things you would so excited about creating!
Michelle! I'm shocked! ;) Yes, baby steps are what's needed here. But I am with Laurie, that looks like so much fun! Half the fun of owning so much stuff is organizing it and reorganizing it. Here's to an after picture in about 3 months!
That picture brought a smile to my face. I have a similar plight. I just don't want to deal with the mess. Last fall I had totally taken over the dining room and it just seemed like an impossible chore to ever complete.
It was really important to my husband, which helped motivate me. So, I made him a promise that I would spend 30 minutes every night working on it. So, each night, I would go set the timer for 30 minutes and get to work. I was shocked that in just about 4 days it was totally clean.
Have faith, I know you can do it. I agree with Jill. Make an appointment with your room every day - that's such a great idea!
If I had a separate room thats what it would be like for sure. I have to share space with the breakfast table and the laundry room so It forces me to keep it contained. At least to keep soggy cheerios of of it.
That picture is absolutely fabulous! :)
Keep chipping away...I actually had to force myself to stop buying product for a while so that I could dig myself out a little! [It was HARD!] good luck...
I LOVE your picture. The room, the face, the hair. It's all great! So many of us can relate, except I don't have a craft "room". I have craft piles in a few rooms of the house. Good luck. At least it's contained in one room! (fellow SPT gal)
I would also want 2 solid weeks for a big project, I don't like 'picking' at things. Have you read Crystalynn's post about starting and stopping?
Your room is unbelievable... you have so much great stuff. I see your problem.... I feel like that in my room too and I often go in there and just stand and look but put nothing away.
(It is on the main floor but it is so easy to just shut the door!)
Oh your picture is so funny!! I agree that it's so hard to part with things that make you happy--but then it's also hard to FIND the things that make you happy.
I need to tackle mine too, like you, I creep in and out.
You've got some serious creative material to work with. Oh to have a room just for creative gear! I do my stuff on the kitchen table. This is a positive thing because I HAVE to clear it off so we can eat, but it is also a pain because I spend so much time with set up and take down, I'm sure my projects take longer than they really should.
I love someone's idea of making an appointment with your room everyday --oh how I would love a room all my own. But you need to get it where you can enjoy it, take pleasure in it! (over from SPT)
I'm always feeling like I could use two uninterrupted weeks to get things done, too. Can't see that happening for a while, and baby steps plugging away will probably reveal more progress than you imagine. But, the 2 weeks really is a dream!
Ah, what a sweet agony. Michelle, this week I churned out bizillions of cards using a kit I've had for years - because I was determined to get rid of this box of cardstock and embellishments. I'm not actually happy with the cards. I'd totally gone off the 'style' of the kit - but the JOY of using up the stuff was immense. I hope you can just bulldozer your way through the stuff and use it up. Or Good Mail it out to all and sundry! Haha!
I totally understand every aspect of your frustrations!
I have piles of too much stuff, and don't really want to give it away! But, I don't have room for it all and I don't have time to sort through it to try to be objective. Oh, but I wish I could do all of the above.....
It looks like you could use some help! Wish I were there!
1st..thanks for all of your comments on my blog today..
2nd...I started going through your blog, and stopped in disbelief at this photo, I thought..how did she get into my house and take a photo of herself in front of my studio??!!!
I have been "chipping away at the elephant"for so long. It finally took some major rearranging in our house to get some progress made in that room. I had to move a pantry, a computer closet, and medicine cabinet...etc. etc. all to get organized.
Keep at it, just 15 minutes at a time..it works!
I have been in there cleaning organizing today, and the kids got home from school and could not believe it. My daughter said..look I can see some floor!
Hang in there, soon you will have the room to use again!
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